Method for implanting soft tissue

ABSTRACT

A suture construction and method for forming a suture construction is disclosed. The construction utilizes a suture having an enlarged central body portion defining a longitudinal passage. First and second ends of the suture are passed through first and second apertures associated with the longitudinal passage to form a pair of loops. Portions of the suture lay parallel to each other within the suture. Application of tension onto the suture construction causes constriction of the longitudinal passage, thus preventing relative motions of the captured portions of the suture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/541,505 filed on Sep. 29, 2006. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to suture loop constructions and, more particularly, to a locking suture loop construction and a method of its construction.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

It is commonplace in arthroscopic procedures to employ sutures and anchors to secure soft tissues to bone. Despite their widespread use, several improvements in the use of sutures and suture anchors can be made. For example, the procedure of tying knots can be very time consuming, thereby increasing the cost of the procedure and limiting the capacity of the surgeon. Furthermore, the strength of the repair may be limited by the strength of the knot. This latter drawback may be of particular significance if the knot is tied improperly as the strength of the knot in such situations can be significantly lower than the tensile strength of the suture material.

To overcome this problem, sutures having a single preformed loop have been provided. FIG. 1 represents a prior art suture construction. As shown, one end of the suture is passed through a passage defined in the suture itself. The application of tension to the ends of the suture pulls a portion of the suture through the passage, causing a loop formed in the suture to close. Unfortunately, relaxation of the system can allow a portion of the suture to translate back through the passage, thus relieving the desired tension.

It is an object of the present teachings to provide an alternative device for anchoring sutures to bone and soft tissue. The device, which is relatively simple in design and structure, is highly effective for its intended purpose.

SUMMARY

To overcome the aforementioned deficiencies, a method for configuring a braided tubular suture and a suture configuration are disclosed. The method includes passing a first end of the suture through a first aperture into a passage defined by the suture and out a second aperture defined by the suture so as to place the first end outside of the passage. A second end of the suture is passed through the second aperture into the passage and out the first aperture so as to place the second end outside of the passage.

In another embodiment, a method for configuring a braided suture is disclosed. The method includes passing a first end of the suture through the first aperture defined between the pair of fibers defining the suture and into a longitudinal passage defined by the suture. The first end of the suture is then passed through a second aperture defined between a second pair of fibers so as to place the first end outside of the longitudinal passage. A second end of the suture is passed through a third aperture defined between a third pair of fibers and into the longitudinal passage. The second end is passed through an aperture defined by a fourth pair of fibers so as to place the second end outside of the longitudinal passage.

In another embodiment, a suture construction is provided having a suture with first and second ends and an enlarged central portion defining an interior longitudinal passage. First and second passage depending apertures are disposed between the first and second ends. The first end being placed through the first and second apertures so as to place a first portion of the suture within the longitudinal passage. The second end being placed through the second and first aperture so as to place a second portion of the suture within the longitudinal passage.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1 represents a prior art suture configuration;

FIGS. 2A and 2B represent suture constructions according to the teachings;

FIG. 3 represents the formation of the suture configuration shown in FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 4A and 4B represent alternate suture configurations;

FIGS. 5-7 represent further alternate suture configurations;

FIG. 8 represents the suture construction according to FIG. 5 coupled to a bone engaging fastener;

FIGS. 9-11 represent the coupling of the suture construction according to FIG. 5 to a bone screw;

FIGS. 12A-12E represent the coupling of a soft tissue to an ACL replacement in a femoral/humeral reconstruction; and

FIGS. 13A-13D represent a close-up view of the suture shown in FIGS. 1-110.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

FIG. 2A represents a suture construction 20 according to the present teachings. Shown is a suture 22 having a first end 24 and a second end 26. The suture 22 is formed of a braided body 28 that defines a longitudinally formed hollow passage 30 therein. First and second apertures 32 and 34 are defined in the braided body 28 at first and second locations of the longitudinally formed passage 30.

Briefly referring to FIG. 3, a first end 24 of the suture 22 is passed through the first aperture 32 and through longitudinal passage 30 formed by a passage portion, and out the second aperture 34. The second end 26 is passed through the second aperture 34, through the passage 30 and out the first aperture 32. This forms two loops 46 and 46′. As seen in FIG. 2B, the relationship of the first and second apertures 32 and 34 with respect to the first and second ends 24 and 26 can be modified so as to allow a bow-tie suture construction 36. As described below, the longitudinal and parallel placement of first and second suture portions 38 and 40 of the suture 22 within the longitudinal passage 30 resists the reverse relative movement of the first and second portions 38 and 40 of the suture once it is tightened.

The first and second apertures are formed during the braiding process as loose portions between pairs of fibers defining the suture. As further described below, the first and second ends 24 and 26 can be passed through the longitudinal passage 30 multiple times. It is envisioned that either a single or multiple apertures can be formed at the ends of the longitudinally formed passage.

As best seen in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a portion of the braided body 28 of the suture defining the longitudinal passage 30 can be braided so as to have a diameter larger than the diameter of the first and second ends 24 and 26. Additionally shown are first through fourth apertures 32, 34, 42, and 44. These apertures can be formed in the braiding process or can be formed during the construction process. In this regard, the apertures 32, 34, 42, and 44 are defined between adjacent fibers in the braided body 28. As shown in FIG. 4B, and described below, it is envisioned the sutures can be passed through other biomedically compatible structures.

FIGS. 5-7 represent alternate constructions wherein a plurality of loops 46 a-d are formed by passing the first and second ends 24 and 26 through the longitudinal passage 30 multiple times. The first and second ends 24 and 26 can be passed through multiple or single apertures defined at the ends of the longitudinal passage 30. The tensioning of the ends 24 and 26 cause relative translation of the sides of the suture with respect to each other.

Upon applying tension to the first and second ends 24 and 26 of the suture 22, the size of the loops 46 a-d is reduced to a desired size or load. At this point, additional tension causes the body of the suture defining the longitudinal passage 30 to constrict about the parallel portions of the suture within the longitudinal passage 30. This constriction reduces the diameter of the longitudinal passage 30, thus forming a mechanical interface between the exterior surfaces of the first and second parallel portions as well as the interior surface of the longitudinal passage 30.

As seen in FIGS. 8-11, the suture construction can be coupled to various biocompatible hardware. In this regard, the suture construction 20 can be coupled to an aperture 52 of the bone engaging fastener 54. Additionally, it is envisioned that soft tissue or bone engaging members 56 can be fastened to one or two loops 46. After fixing the bone engaging fastener 54, the members 56 can be used to repair, for instance, a meniscal tear. The first and second ends 24, 26 are then pulled, setting the tension on the loops 46, thus pulling the meniscus into place. Additionally, upon application of tension, the longitudinal passage 30 is constricted, thus preventing the relaxation of the tension caused by relative movement of the first and second parallel portions 38, 40, within the longitudinal passage 30.

As seen in FIGS. 9-11B, the loops 46 can be used to fasten the suture construction 20 to multiple types of prosthetic devices. As described further below, the suture 22 can further be used to repair and couple soft tissues in an anatomically desired position. Further, retraction of the first and second ends allows a physician to adjust the tension on the loops between the prosthetic devices.

FIG. 11 b represents the coupling of the suture construction according to FIG. 2B with a bone fastening member. Coupled to a pair of loops 46 and 46′ are tissue fastening members 56. The application of tension to either the first or second end 24 or 26 will tighten the loops 46 or 46′ separately.

FIGS. 12A-12E represent potential uses of the suture constructions 20 in FIGS. 2A-7 in an ACL repair. As can be seen in FIG. 12A, the longitudinal passage portion 30 of suture construction 20 can be first coupled to a fixation member 60. The member 60 can have a first profile which allows insertion of the member 60 through the tunnel and a second profile which allows engagement with a positive locking surface upon rotation. The longitudinal passage portion 30 of the suture construction 20, member 60, loops 46 and ends 24, 26 can then be passed through a femoral and tibial tunnel 62. The fixation member 60 is positioned or coupled to the femur. At this point, a natural or artificial ACL 64 can be passed through a loop or loops 46 formed in the suture construction 20. Tensioning of the first and second ends 24 and 26 applies tension to the loops 46, thus pulling the ACL 64 into the tunnel. In this regard, the first and second ends are pulled through the femoral and tibial tunnel, thus constricting the loops 46 about the ACL 64 (see FIG. 12B).

As shown, the suture construction 20 allows for the application of force along an axis 61 defining the femoral tunnel. Specifically, the orientation of the suture construction 20 and, more specifically, the orientation of the longitudinal passage portion 30, the loops 46, and ends 24, 26 allow for tension to be applied to the construction 20 without applying non-seating forces to the fixation member 60. As an example, should the loops 24, 26 be positioned at the member 60, application of forces to the ends 24, 26 may reduce the seating force applied by the member 60 onto the bone.

As best seen in FIG. 12C, the body portion 28 and parallel portions 38, 40 of the suture construction 20 remain disposed within to the fixation member 60. Further tension of the first ends draws the ACL 64 up through the tibial component into the femoral component. In this way, suture ends can be used to apply appropriate tension onto the ACL 64 component. The ACL 64 is then fixed to the tibial component using a plug or screw as is known.

After feeding the ACL 64 through the loops 46, tensioning of the ends allows engagement of the ACL with bearing surfaces defined on the loops. The tensioning pulls the ACL 64 through a femoral and tibial tunnel. The ACL 64 could be further coupled to the femur using a transverse pin or plug. As shown in FIG. 12E, once the ACL is fastened to the tibia, further tensioning can be applied to the first and second ends 24, 26 placing a desired predetermined load on the ACL. This tension can be measured using a force gauge. This load is maintained by the suture configuration. It is equally envisioned that the fixation member 60 can be placed on the tibial component 66 and the ACL pulled into the tunnel through the femur. Further, it is envisioned that bone cement or biological materials may be inserted into the tunnel 62.

FIGS. 13A-13D represent a close-up of a portion of the suture 20. As can be seen, the portion of the suture defining the longitudinal passage 30 has a diameter d₁ which is larger than the diameter d₂ of the ends 24 and 26. The first aperture 32 is formed between a pair of fiber members. As can be seen, the apertures 32, 34 can be formed between two adjacent fiber pairs 68, 70. Further, various shapes can be braided onto a surface of the longitudinal passage 30.

The sutures are typically braided of from 8 to 16 fibers. These fibers are made of nylon or other biocompatible material. It is envisioned that the suture 22 can be formed of multiple type of biocompatible fibers having multiple coefficients of friction or size. Further, the braiding can be accomplished so that different portions of the exterior surface of the suture can have different coefficients of friction or mechanical properties. The placement of a carrier fiber having a particular surface property can be modified along the length of the suture so as to place it at varying locations within the braided constructions.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for configuring a flexible member construct for use in surgical implantation, comprising: passing a first end of a flexible member through a first aperture defined in the flexible member into a first passage portion defined by the flexible member and out a second aperture defined by the flexible member so as to place the first end outside of the first passage portion; passing a second end of the flexible member through a third aperture defined in the flexible member and into a second passage portion defined by the suture and out a fourth aperture defined by the flexible member so as to place the second end outside of the second passage portion to form the flexible member construct; and coupling the flexible member construct to a fastener.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising passing the first end of the flexible member into and through the first passage portion to form a first adjustable loop; and passing the second end of the flexible member into and through the second passage portion to form a second adjustable loop.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second adjustable loops include first and second self-locking adjustable loops.
 4. The method of claim 2, further comprising interconnecting the first and second adjustable loops to each other.
 5. The method of claim 2, further comprising applying tension to the first and second ends to reduce a size of the first and second adjustable loops relative to the respective first and second passage portions.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the flexible member includes a suture formed from braided or woven fibers.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising forming the first, second, third and fourth apertures between the fibers of the suture.
 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising forming the first, second, third and fourth apertures as separate apertures.
 9. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming the first and second passage portions as separate passage portions spaced apart from each other.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein coupling the flexible member construct to the fastener includes coupling the flexible member construct to a bore defined in the fastener such that the fastener is adjacent the first and second passage portions.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprising slidably coupling a second fastener to the first and second adjustable loops.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second passage portions are overlapping.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first aperture is the same aperture as the third aperture, and wherein the second aperture is the same aperture as the fourth aperture.
 14. A method for configuring a flexible member construct for use in surgical implantation, comprising: providing a flexible member having a body extending between first and second ends; passing the flexible member through a bore defined in a fastener; passing the first end of the flexible member through a first opening defined by the flexible member body so as to be within the body of the flexible member and out through a second opening defined by the flexible member body so as to place the first end outside of the flexible member body to form a first adjustable loop; and passing the second end of the flexible member through a third opening defined by the flexible member body so as to be within the body of the flexible member and out through a fourth opening defined by the flexible member body so as to place the second end outside of the flexible member body to form a second adjustable loop.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein providing a flexible member includes providing a suture formed from braided or woven fibers of material.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first, second, third and fourth openings are apertures formed between the fibers.
 17. The method of claim 14, wherein the first, second, third and fourth openings are separate openings.
 18. The method of claim 14, further comprising coupling the fastener to the flexible member construct such that the first and second adjustable loops extend from the fastener.
 19. The method of claim 14, further comprising passing the first end of the flexible member through a first passage portion and passing the second end of the flexible member through a second passage portion to form the first and second adjustable loops, respectively, further comprising positioning the first and second passage portions adjacent the fastener.
 20. A method for configuring a flexible member construct for use in surgical implantation, comprising: passing a flexible member through a bore defined in a fastener; passing a first end of the flexible member through a first aperture in the flexible member into a first passage portion defined by the flexible member and out through a second aperture so as to place the first end outside of the first passage portion to form a first adjustable loop; passing a second end of the flexible member through a third aperture in the flexible member into a second passage portion defined by the flexible member and through a fourth aperture so as to place the second end outside of the second passage portion to form a second adjustable loop; positioning the fastener relative to a surface of a bone; coupling soft tissue to the first and second adjustable loops; and tensioning the first and second ends to reduce a size of the first and second loops to draw the soft tissue toward the fastener.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising interconnecting the first and second adjustable loops to each other.
 22. The method of claim 20, wherein the first and second adjustable loops include first and second self-locking adjustable loops.
 23. The method of claim 22, wherein tensioning the first and second ends to reduce a size of the first and second loops to draw the soft tissue toward the fastener includes self-locking the first and second adjustable loops under tension to maintain the reduced size.
 24. The method of claim 20, further comprising forming the first and second passage portions as separate passage portions spaced apart from each other.
 25. The method of claim 20, wherein the flexible member includes a suture formed from braided or woven fibers, and wherein the first, second, third, and fourth apertures are formed between the fibers of the suture.
 26. The method of claim 20, wherein the first, second, third and fourth apertures are formed as apertures in a body of the flexible member.
 27. The method of claim 20, wherein passing a flexible member through a bore defined in the fastener includes coupling the fastener to the flexible member construct adjacent the first and second passage portions.
 28. The method of claim 27, further comprising coupling a second fastener to the first and second adjustable loops of the flexible member construct.
 29. The method of claim 28, wherein positioning the fastener relative to a surface of the bone includes positioning the fastener relative to an outer surface of a femur.
 30. A method of configuring a suture construct for use in surgical implantation, comprising: forming a tibial tunnel in a tibia; forming a femoral tunnel in a femur; positioning a fastener having first and second flexible member constructs extending therefrom through the femoral tunnel, the first and second flexible member constructs each including a self-locking adjustable loop coupled to the fastener and free ends extending therefrom; passing a graft over the self-locking adjustable loops; positioning the fastener on an outside surface of the femur adjacent an end of the femoral tunnel such that the free ends of the first and second flexible member constructs extend out an opposite end of the femoral tunnel adjacent the tibia; fastening the graft to the tibia; tensioning the free ends of the first and second flexible member constructs to reduce a size of the self-locking adjustable loops to tension the graft relative to the fastener.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first and second flexible member constructs include first and second suture constructs.
 32. The method of claim 30, wherein fastening the graft to the tibia includes fastening free ends of the graft to the tibia with a second fastener.
 33. A method of configuring a suture construct for use in surgical implantation, comprising: forming a tibial tunnel in a tibia; forming a femoral tunnel in a femur; positioning a fastener having a flexible member construct extending therefrom through the femoral tunnel, the flexible member construct including first and second self-locking adjustable loops coupled to the fastener and free ends extending therefrom; passing a graft over the self-locking adjustable loops; positioning the fastener on an outside surface of the femur adjacent an end of the femoral tunnel such that the free ends of the flexible member construct extend out an opposite end of the femoral tunnel adjacent the tibia; fastening the graft to the tibia; and tensioning the free ends of the flexible member construct to reduce a size of the self-locking adjustable loops to tension the graft relative to the fastener.
 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the flexible member construct is a suture construct.
 35. The method of claim 33, wherein fastening the graft to the tibia includes fastening free ends of the graft to the tibia with a second fastener.
 36. The method of claim 33, wherein the flexible member construct includes a first passage portion defined by the flexible member and a second passage portion defined by the flexible member, where a first end of the flexible member is passed through the first passage portion to form the first self-locking adjustable loop and the second end of the flexible member is passed through the second passage portion to define the second self-locking adjustable loop, wherein the fastener is positioned adjacent to the first and second passage portions and opposite the graft passed over the self-locking adjustable loops. 